Method for storing and deploying ahardtop roof on a boat

ABSTRACT

A vessel may include a bow having a recess located between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A vessel may include a panel configured to cover at least a portion of the recess. A vessel may include a console. A vessel may include at least one support structure, the at least one support structure having a first end located opposite a second end, the first end of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to the console, the second end of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to the panel, wherein the panel is configured to be positioned in a first orientation when the panel covers at least a portion of the console, wherein the panel is configured to be positioned in a second orientation when the panel covers at least a portion of the recess of the bow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional Utility Patent Applicationentitled, “METHOD FOR STORING AND DEPLOYING A HARDTOP ROOF ON A BOAT,”which claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/328,211 filed Apr. 6, 2022, entitled, “METHOD FOR STORING ANDDEPLOYING A HARDTOP ROOF ON A BOAT,” the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the invention and its embodiments relates to surfacetransportation and more particularly to a convertible vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Many vessels in today's market are designed in one of the existingcategories referring to the type of deck layout used i.e. “bow rider”where the bow area is open with seating, “cuddy” where bow area has adeck, and/or “hard top” where a roof panel is rigidly attached to theboat. Further, it is currently known for a vessel to have an awning,including a rigid weather protection structure, e.g. a sunroof to coverand/or cover a covered portion of the vessel depending on the desiredapplication. For instance, a covered helm console may be present on theopen deck of a fishing boat. In another example, cockpits and cabins maybe covered in passenger boats. In yet another example, it is common forwork boats to have a covered deck configured to cover supplies andequipment during storage.

The layout of a vessel and its associated covered sections are heavilyinfluenced by the application. Variation and/or reconfiguration of thesecovered sections may not be achievable post-production. A desire for avariation in covered sections of a vessel is currently being addressedwith the use of removable canopies and/or covers being added to a vesselin an attempt to create additional shaded areas. However, removablecanopies and/or covers are time consuming to install, a hardship to keepclean, may be misplaced, stolen, and/or damaged during a wind storm, andare bulky and require storage when not in use. Thus, there is a need fora vessel having convertible covered portions as per a desiredapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a system andmethod for storing and deploying a movable hardtop roof on a vessel isprovided. A vessel may include a bow having a recess located between afirst sidewall and a second sidewall. A vessel may include a panelconfigured to cover at least a portion of the recess. A vessel mayinclude a console. A vessel may include at least one support structure,the at least one support structure having a first end located opposite asecond end, the first end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the console, the second end of the at least onesupport structure is pivotably connected to the panel, wherein the panelis configured to be positioned in a first orientation when the panelcovers at least a portion of the console, wherein the panel isconfigured to be positioned in a second orientation when the panelcovers at least a portion of the recess of the bow, and which alsoincludes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior convertiblevessels, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vessel,including: a hull, the hull has a first sidewall located opposite asecond sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall have agunwale; a bow, the bow having a recess, the recess is located betweenthe first sidewall and the second sidewall; a panel, the panel isconfigured to cover at least a portion of the recess; a console; and atleast one support structure, the at least one support structure having afirst end located opposite a second end, the first end of the at leastone support structure is pivotably connected to the console, the secondend of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to thepanel, wherein the panel is configured to be positioned in a firstorientation when the panel covers at least a portion of the console,wherein the panel is configured to be positioned in a second orientationwhen the panel covers at least a portion of the recess of the bow.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vesselwherein the at least one support structure is configured to telescopefrom a first length to a second length.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method ofconverting a hard-top roof of a vessel to a deck of the vessel, themethod including the steps of providing the vessel including a hull, thehull has a first sidewall located opposite a second sidewall, the firstsidewall and the second sidewall have a gunwale; a bow, the bow having arecess, the recess is located between the first sidewall and the secondsidewall; a panel, the panel is configured to cover at least a portionof the recess of the bow; a console; and at least one support structure,the at least one support structure having a first end located opposite asecond end, the first end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the console, the second end of the at least onesupport structure is pivotably connected to the panel; positioning thepanel in a first orientation when the panel covers at least a portion ofthe console; and positioning the panel in a second orientation when thepanel covers at least a portion of the recess of the bow.

Clause 1. A vessel, comprising: a hull, the hull has a first sidewalllocated opposite a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the secondsidewall have a gunwale; a bow, the bow having a recess, the recess islocated between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; a panel, thepanel is configured to cover at least a portion of the recess; aconsole; and at least one support structure, the at least one supportstructure having a first end located opposite a second end, the firstend of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to theconsole, the second end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the panel, wherein the panel is configured to bepositioned in a first orientation when the panel covers at least aportion of the console, wherein the panel is configured to be positionedin a second orientation when the panel covers at least a portion of therecess of the bow.

Clause 2. The vessel of clause 1 wherein the at least one supportstructure is configured to telescope from a first length to a secondlength.

Clause 3. A method of converting a hard-top roof of a vessel to a deckof the vessel, the method comprising the steps of providing the vesselcomprising a hull, the hull has a first sidewall located opposite asecond sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall have agunwale; a bow, the bow having a recess, the recess is located betweenthe first sidewall and the second sidewall; a panel, the panel isconfigured to cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow; aconsole; and at least one support structure, the at least one supportstructure having a first end located opposite a second end, the firstend of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to theconsole, the second end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the panel; positioning the panel in a firstorientation when the panel covers at least a portion of the console; andpositioning the panel in a second orientation when the panel covers atleast a portion of the recess of the bow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 1A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, accordingto at least some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, according to at leastsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 7B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, accordingto at least some embodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 8A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, according to at leastsome embodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 8B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 9B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the panel orientedto cover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 10A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 10B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein:

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 11A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 11B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 12A depicts a top view of the vessel having the panel oriented tocover at least a portion of the console, according to at least someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 12B depicts a left side view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the console, according to atleast some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 13A depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented in a position located between at least a portion of the consoleand at least a portion of the recess of the bow, according to at leastsome embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 13B depicts a perspective view of the vessel having the paneloriented to cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow, accordingto at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B depict embodiment 100 of a vessel having rearseating, one gate closed, and a seat in the back aft position. FIG. 1shows vessel 122 having hull 124. Hull 124 has first sidewall 102located opposite second sidewall 104. First sidewall 102 and secondsidewall 104 have gunwale 106. Bow 108 has recess 110 located betweenfirst sidewall 102 and second sidewall 104. Panel 112 is configured tocover at least a portion of recess 110. Support structure 116 has firstend 118 located opposite second end 120. First end 118 of supportstructure 116 is pivotably connected to console 114. Second end 120 ofsupport structure 116 is pivotably connected to panel 112. Panel 112 isconfigured to be positioned in a first orientation when panel 112 coversat least a portion of console 114, Panel 112 is configured to bepositioned in a second orientation when panel 112 covers at least aportion of recess 110 of bow 108. It is within the scope of thisinvention for the convertible features of FIG. 1 may be applied to allembodiments 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100,1200, and/or 1300, 1302, and/or 1304 shown in FIGS. 1-13B respectivelyand/or any other vessel having various layouts.

FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B depict embodiment 200 of a vessel having rearseating, one gate open, seats are located at a back and a forwardposition with helm seat and bow seating.

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B depict embodiment 300 of a vessel having rearseating, one gate open, and a seat located in the back forward position.

FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B depict embodiment 400 of a vessel having transomgate 2, closed position—rear seat 2 added hard top closed.

FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B depict embodiment 500 of a vessel having transomgate 2, closed position—rear seat 2 added.

FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B depict embodiment 600 of a vessel having transom gate2, closed position.

FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B depict embodiment 700 of a vessel having transomgate 2, Open position.

FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B depict embodiment 800 of a vessel having a bare boatwith a hard top in a down position,

FIGS. 9, 9A, and 9B depict embodiment 900 of a vessel having a bare boatwith a hard top in an up position.

FIGS. 10, 10A, and 10B depict embodiment 1000 of a vessel having bowseating added.

FIGS. 11, 11A, and JIB depict embodiment 1100 of a vessel having transomgate 1 added being in a closed position.

FIGS. 12, 12A, and 12B depict embodiment 1200 of a vessel having transomgate 1 added being in an open position.

FIG. 13 depicts embodiment 1300 of a vessel having a roof is in thedeployed position creating “walkaround” type boat.

FIG. 13A depicts embodiment 1302 of a vessel having a roof configured todeploy manually and/or assisted by electric actuators.

FIG. 13B depicts embodiment 1304 of a vessel having a roof configured tobe stored within the bow of the boat, effectively creating what's knownas a runabout type boat with a closed bow.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures may be identified with the same reference numerals. Referencewill now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention.Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the presentinvention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, thoseof ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the presentspecification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Thus, as a non-limitingexample, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction withopen-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment,to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in anotherembodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); inyet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including otherelements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

Additional Description

This invention creates new category by the type of use case scenario toprovide the ability to utilize the vessel as a “cruiser”, a “bow rider”,and/or a “center console.” It is within the scope of this invention fora vessel to include, but not be limited to, a ship, a watercraft, asmall boat, and/or a large boat. Small craft (up to 12 m) are usuallycategorized by the type of use case scenario i.e. “cruiser” “bow rider”“center console” etc. Zin Boats will create a new category—aconvertible, wherein the roof (hard top), is permanently attached to thedeck and can be operated in upright and stowed positions. This isachieved via a mechanical device and may be operated manually and/orwith power assist. The convertible category does not currently exist inproduction. It is within the scope of this invention for important for adual-purpose boat configured for the method of lowering, raising, and/orsecuring the roof to facilitate the ability to use the boat in aplurality of reconfigurable configurations and/or orientations.

Boats traditionally are designed in one of the existing categoriesreferring to the type of deck layout used i.e. “bow rider” where the bowarea is open with seating, “cuddy” where bow area has a deck, “hard top”where a roof panel is rigidly attached to the boat. This inventioncreates new category by providing ability to use a vessel with aplurality of reconfigurable layouts as described above.

In an aspect, a hardtop convertible uses one rigid roof panel andmechanical arms connected at pivot points that allow for the roof to belowered in to the bow area, thus creating a “cuddy” layout. With theroof in upright position the boat becomes a “hard top”.

In an aspect, the mechanical device configured for raising and loweringthe roof may consist of at least one post. In an example, four posts arepivotably attached to the center console of the boat and the roofrespectively. Arms may have gas shocks attached via cams to provideweight assistance and to make the operation possible with minimumeffort. The shape of the arms is configured to allow a first arm to nestinside a second arm when oriented in a lowered position.

In an aspect, the roof may be operated using an electromechanicaldevice.

In an aspect, the roof will lock in to deck using slides when orientedin a lowered position.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those madeapparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Sincecertain changes may be made in the above construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matterscontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the description is intended to coverall of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presenceof stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodimentsthereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective“another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one ormore elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to beinclusive such that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. A vessel, comprising a hull, the hull has a firstsidewall located opposite a second sidewall, the first sidewall and thesecond sidewall have a gunwale; a bow, the bow having a recess, therecess is located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; apanel, the panel is configured to cover at least a portion of therecess; a console; and at least one support structure, the at least onesupport structure having a first end located opposite a second end, thefirst end of the at least one support structure is pivotably connectedto the console, the second end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the panel, wherein the panel is configured to bepositioned in a first orientation when the panel covers at least aportion of the console, wherein the panel is configured to be positionedin a second orientation when the panel covers at least a portion of therecess of the bow.
 2. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the at least onesupport structure is configured to telescope from a first length to asecond length.
 3. A method of converting a hard-top roof of a vessel toa deck of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing thevessel comprising a hull, the hull has a first sidewall located oppositea second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall have agunwale; a bow, the bow having a recess, the recess is located betweenthe first sidewall and the second sidewall; a panel, the panel isconfigured to cover at least a portion of the recess of the bow; aconsole; and at least one support structure, the at least one supportstructure having a first end located opposite a second end, the firstend of the at least one support structure is pivotably connected to theconsole, the second end of the at least one support structure ispivotably connected to the panel; positioning the panel in a firstorientation when the panel covers at least a portion of the console; andpositioning the panel in a second orientation when the panel covers atleast a portion of the recess of the bow.